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Opposition Leaders Want MP Arrested
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 00:15
The six MPs, while addressing a press conference in Kisii town accused Mr. Zephania Nyangwara of being behind the disruption of the Ford-Kenya rally at Riosiri market, where five people reportedly died.
Addressing a Kanu campaign rally, President Moi clarified that one person had been injured in an incident unrelated to the campaign rally.
However, a Senior Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of administration and public relations affairs, Mr. Joseph Wamae, said one person was hit on the head with a stone, while others were shot with poisonous arrows 10 minutes after the meeting started.
The MPs, who included Mr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Henry Obwocha, Anyang' Nyong'o, Shem Ochuodho, Wanyiri Kihoro and Alfred Nderitu condemned the raid at the Ford-Kenya rally by people they claimed were transported by Mr. Nyangwara from his Bomachoge constituency.
They demanded that the Police Commissioner tell the public where the policemen deployed to the meeting were when the meeting was ambushed by armed youths.
"We had informed the Gucha police boss, Mr. Burudi Makokha, of the Ford-Kenya rally but he did not send any security to the function," said Mr. Obwocha.
The opposition legislators claimed the attack had been motivated by the Government.
They accused the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation of spreading propaganda that the Riosiri market campaign meeting had been called by rebel Kanu MP Simeon Nyachae.
Mr. Obwocha claimed that Mr. Nyangwara had mobilised the youths to ensure his earlier threats to block all campaign rallies attended by Mr. Nyachae were carried out.
The MPs said the attack was a clear sign to the Electoral Commission that Kanu was doing everything in its powers to justify the deployment of GSU personnel in the area.
Meanwhile, President Moi urged voters not to gamble with their votes but to choose the Kanu candidate, Mr. David Kombo.
Addressing a campaign rally at Nyamarembe and Tabaka, the President said voting for Mr. Kombo would mean victory for the party, "which commands mainstream politics in the country".
He said the opposition had nothing to offer Kenyans, noting that violent campaigns did not augur well with democracy. He denied reports that four people had been killed in the constituency, adding that such reports were meant to drive a wedge between the electorate and Kanu.
President Moi said violent campaigns should not be the norm, adding that every leader should solicit votes humbly.
Leaders who supported violence during campaigns turned into dictators when they ascend to power.
Opposition party leader Mwai Kibaki accused GSU personnel dressed in civilians as being behind the mayhem. He said he had information that GSU troops had been deployed to the constituency but had shed their uniform and were now causing trouble at campaign meetings called by opposition leaders.
Mr. Kibaki said: "The Government must stop misusing the GSU. The officers have been sent there and we have identified some disguising themselves as Kanu youths."
Mr. Kibaki said Kanu wants to cause violence in South Mugirango in order to scare away voters. In so doing, he added, there would be a low turnout for easier rigging.
"We realise that where there is a high voter turn-out, it is rather difficult for Kanu to rig an election. That is why they believe that scaring away voters is the only way to win," Mr. Kibaki told the Nation by telephone.
He urged the Electoral Commission to ensure campaigns were conducted peacefully "rather than watch thugs cause deaths to justify the use of the GSU".
"The police were there and they knew that people were armed with arrows in a maize plantation. Why did they have to wait until lives were lost?" the leader of the Official Opposition said.
On reports that a police officer commanding a team at the scene said she was waiting for orders from her seniors to make arrests, Mr. Kibaki said: "This proves that the police are being misused. A police officer cannot witness crime and fail to take action. They have been ordered to protect criminals."
He added: "The police are collaborating with Kanu, and the Electoral Commission must work independently and not allow itself to be misguided by the Government."
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri claimed that the ruling party and the Government planned to assassinate some leaders during the South Mugirango campaigns.
In a different development, President Moi said the Government would issue an official statement regarding the economic crimes Bills and the telecommunications Bill in the next two days.
He expressed surprise that the Mr. Kibaki could ask him to reconvene Parliament when he does not believe in parliamentary mandate.
President Moi said Mr. Kibaki did not recognise and respect the role Parliament plays in the review of the Constitution and termed his request as a show of double standards.
Every Kenyan was a stakeholder in the Constitution, he said, adding that through MPs the views of wananchi on reforms would be articulated.
President Moi challenged the faiths-led Ufungamano group to state where their mandate originated.
He noted that the unfettered freedom existing in the country had led some people to think they could take the government for granted.
The President told such people that the government was strong and had unequivocal mandate from the people of this country.
On development in the area, President Moi said the Nyamarambe dispensary will be expanded through funds from Japan to provide quality medical services to the people.
He said the completion of ongoing water and electricity project in the area will be hastened to benefit the people.
President Moi urged for harmonious neighbourliness between the Abagusii and the Maasais.
He said it was through promotion of peace and unity among the communities that wananchi could go about their businesses unmolested.
President Moi said the tribal problems which culminated in major problems in some countries in Africa should not be allowed here in Kenya. He particularly told the youth to shun leaders who preached violence and hatred in the constituency. The Kanu candidate Mr. David Kombo was thunderously applauded when he said violence cannot get them votes.
The President's campaign team included the vice-president Prof George Saitoti, cabinet ministers Sam Ongeri, Nicholas Biwott, Isaac Ruto and Amukowa Anangwe.
Others were assistant ministers Musa Sirma and Joseph Kiangoi, and MPs Zephama Nyangwara, the Kisii Kanu branch chairman Geoffrey Asanyo, the Baringo kanu executive officer Hoseah Kiplagat, Mr. Sam Nyamweya and Andrew Omanga.
